I drew Margaret archery Bull!!

[judojudd]

Inexplicably,  with only 6 points, my buddy and I got drawn for the Margaret bull tag. I have been loudly critical of the WDFW draw system (and still think it's a sham) but somehow the Good Lord decided it was time for me to experience Margaret bulls in the rut!
Putting in for this was a complete afterthought and I've only been in that unit a couple times when I was a kid.
I'm looking for any help or stories.  The big question right now is whether or not to buy the Weyco permit. On principle, I'd like to not get it to stand in solidarity with the thousands of sportsmen who have been kicked out of their hunting grounds. But what would you do if you were in my position?
Any help or stories would be greatly appreciated!

[Button Nubbs]

Tag

[CavemantheHunter]

Even though I can't stand the idea of the Weyerhaueser permits, if I were in your position, I would definitely purchase one. If I got drawn this year, I would have bought it. It took you six years to get drawn and you want to have the biggest opportunity at success while there, so I say if you can afford it, buy it. We'll see if that gets me slammed on here.

[bobcat]

One option is you could scout the public land all the way up through the end of August, and at that time, decide whether to buy the Weyerhaeuser permit or not. With 15,000 permits available I doubt they will sell out before that.

[sirmissalot]

The east end is going to be packed this year in my opinion. I would buy the permit without any hesitation, scout both areas as much as you can, hunt the east end along with everyone else when weyco closes due to fire danger and hunt the west end if its open.

There are elk all over both sides, you need to get up there and see what you're up against and what style of hunting you are planning to do, but I will tell you that you won't be alone if you choose the high country end. In my opinion there are more good bulls on the west end.

[Hockman]

I recommend not purchasing the permit initially, then watching how many get sold while monitoring the summer weather.  If Weyco closes the woods for fire danger (which is common) your permit will not help get you in.  Check out the eastside coming through Randle or Cougar.  Forest Service land and the bigger bulls live there.

[Tacbeav]

I would buy the Weyco permit. Your tag is also good the first two weeks of December and no worries. of a fire danger closure then. 

I drew the Margaret Archery cow tag with only two points.  Makes me wonder if the number of applications was way down this year because of the Weyco permits...........

[Blacktail Sniper]

I would buy the Weyco permit. Your tag is also good the first two weeks of December and no worries. of a fire danger closure then. 

I drew the Margaret Archery cow tag with only two points.  Makes me wonder if the number of applications was way down this year because of the Weyco permits...........

Good point, potential to lose out on the rut, but nice fall back just-in case. Better than loosing the tag and opportunity altogether due to fire closure.

Congrats and best of luck!

[sirmissalot]

I disagree completely that the bigger bulls are on the east end.

As far as fire danger, I had the Pe Ell weyco pass last year and was never shut out of the woods. Not saying it will be the same with saint helens, and you never know what the weather will do but after some hot weather last year and not being shut out I was surprised.

[rsrobins]

My brother and I had this tag back in 2011. We both killed nice 5 points. Seen one nice 6 point but couldn't make it happen with him. I got mine last day of early season and my brother got his first day of late season. We only hunted the west side. Seen most of our elk up the 1010 . Right above hofstad bluff. It was all walk in only when we hunted it. The bull in my avatar is the one I got up there.

[gotcha]

6 pts lol  I can't even draw with 11. System is great. Good luck to guys. Put your work in you will do fine.

[issaquarcher]

I've been lucky to hunt and participate in several hunts in the Margaret. Not many big bulls anymore but many bulls to pursue. Don't mess around wondering if you should get the Weyco permit. Do it. If you plan on spike camping in the public land make sure to secure a camp spot (maybe to late) since there are only a few and by permit only.

[kentrek]

I disagree completely that the bigger bulls are on the east end.

Yup all the really big bulls are down along the green...prolly end up shooting one in the winston

[Meat Truck]

My old man is going to tag along and try and kill a deer, so I don't want to buy a stupid permit for both of us.  It's more about the fun anyway. 

How packed can it get on the east side, there aren't THAT many permits are there?

[bradslam]

The east end is going to be packed this year in my opinion. I would buy the permit without any hesitation, scout both areas as much as you can, hunt the east end along with everyone else when weyco closes due to fire danger and hunt the west end if its open.

There are elk all over both sides, you need to get up there and see what you're up against and what style of hunting you are planning to do, but I will tell you that you won't be alone if you choose the high country end. In my opinion there are more good bulls on the west end.

What he said.

[blackveltbowhunter]

   I agree with sirmiss, that big bull live in the western portion of the unit. With alot of it being thicker in the west end, and the eastern portion more open elk are simply more visible. But I am not convinced there will be that much more pressure in the east end than any other year, at least, I think it will still be weather dependendent.

  I will keep my opinion of the permits to myself at this time, but suffice it to say if drawn I would buy the permit. For a "nice" bull, The late season in the margaret IMO is just as good if not better than the early season. Although if scouting turns up a stud best to get first crack at him. Good luck!

[Meat Truck]

It's a bummer that someone can't come with someone with a permit, or help with the pack out.  I'm the lone tagholder, and don't really want to do all the work myself.  Plus the main reason I go, is to hang with the guys, or my old man.  I think if I only needed one permit I'd do it, but I'm not so sure I wanna pony up for a buddy.

For me, it's a tough call.  I guess I need to get out scouting, and see what I can find on the east side, and if I don't like it, suck it up.  I think I still drew a nice tag, and intend on murdering something.  I knew it when I put in for it, I'd have a tough call if I got lucky.

[sirmissalot]

I'm mostly basing my guess that there will be more people on the east end this year due to the amount of PMs I have received from people planning on hunting it. When I had the permit weyco shut down for the second weekend due to fire danger and I was still alone up on the east end, it surprised the heck out of me.

Like blackvelvet said that country is open and I think many of the better bulls get shot up especially by the rifle guys. That area is relatively small as far as huntable ground goes as well. Not trying to be negative about the high country side, I love that country up there and spend a good amount of time there.

[Meat Truck]

I hear you, I'm just thinking I can do a spike camp at one of the little camp spots on the east side and get away from the people, and save the $.  I guess I should keep an open mind about the permits.  It might be worth it.

[bobcat]

I agree it's kinda tough when you need to buy a permit for yourself plus a permit for all the people you bring along to help. That is why I didn't put my uncle in for Toutle or Margaret this year. He probably had a pretty good chance of drawing one of the muzzleloader permits with his 13 points. But I didn't want to spend $150 just to be a helper on his hunt.

[gotcha]

Better get your camp spot. I know of a few that are already taken for whole season. And sir miss you were not alone. Lol

[Meat Truck]

I got one. If I decide to go west, I'm out $6. Put it on my tab.

[gotcha]

I'm talking on east end. Can only stay in certain camp spots on monument. If you don't and get caught big ticket.

[Meat Truck]

I know, I reserved one. $6, non refundable. I figured I better do it now, and if I cancel, no biggie

[TMortensen]

I had the Archery tag last year and ended up taking a 6x5 on the west end. I suggest taking a boat up coldwater lake and spike camping at the end of the lake and hunt from there. This will give you access to the east half away from all the others coming in from Norway pass or up the hunters trail. If the west side stays open I have a few spots That are right off 504 that were awesome last year. Don't expect to much rut action though. the elk were very call shy last year. We di see quite a few bull that were 6pts but not big. PM me if you have any questions

[eldplanko]

I know, I reserved one. $6, non refundable. I figured I better do it now, and if I cancel, no biggie

I nabbed one for two weeks during general rifle... Just in case winter comes late this year. $6 is easy insurance.

[judojudd]

The bulls were call shy, TMortensen? Man, I was hoping that this draw would get me into some rut-crazed bugling action!

[Bullkllr]

The bulls were call shy, TMortensen? Man, I was hoping that this draw would get me into some rut-crazed bugling action!

That's what I thought when I had the tag last year. In 6 days in September I heard exactly 2 bugles. And they shut-up when I called back.

[Labredog]

This is typical of what you will find on the Eastside of unit 524, 220-250 class. This is my 2013 Margaret archery bull.

[Labredog]

And this is what it looks like in my office.